ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To examine whether astaxanthin (AST) prevent the cataract formation induced by glucocorticoid in chick embryo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hydrocortisone hemisuccinate sodium (HC) (0.5 µmol/egg) was administered directly into the air chamber in the egg shell of chick embryo day 15. The eggs were then kept in an incubator at same conditions and administered 100 µL of 50 (HC + AST50 group), 80 (HC + AST80 group), 100 (HC + AST100 group) mg/mL of AST solutions dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) 3 h after administration of HC. In addition, non-HC treated group (treated with physiological saline without HC and 100 µL of DMSO), HC-alone group (treated with 0.5 µmol of HC and 100 µL of DMSO), and AST100 group (treated with physiological saline without HC and 100 µL of DMSO) were also incorporated. After 48 h of treatment, lenses were removed from embryo and classified into five stages according to developed opacity. The amounts of reduced glutathione in the lenses and the blood glucose levels were measured. RESULTS: The average scores of lens opacitiy were 2.63 ± 1.02 nmol/lens (HC-alone), 2.78 ± 0.97 nmol/lens (HC + AST50), 2.22 ± 1.20 nmol/lens (HC + AST80) and 1.84 ± 0.83 nmol/lens (HC + AST100; p < 0.05), respectively. Administration of AST decreased the lens opacity dose-dependently. The amounts of reduced glutathione in lenses were 11.6 ± 2.8 nmol/lens (HC-alone), 11.3 ± 2.7 nmol/lens (HC + AST50), 13.4 ± 2.4 nmol/lens (HC + AST80) and 13.7 ± 3.1 nmol/lens (HC + AST100; p < 0.05), respectively. Higher levels of AST prevented loss of reduced glutathione from the lens. CONCLUSION: These findings support that AST protects glucocorticoid-induced cataract in chick embryo.
Subject(s)
Cataract/prevention & control , Lens, Crystalline/drug effects , Animals , Cataract/chemically induced , Cataract/embryology , Chick Embryo , Disease Models, Animal , Fibrinolytic Agents/therapeutic use , Glucocorticoids/toxicity , Lens, Crystalline/embryology , Lens, Crystalline/metabolism , Oxidative Stress/drug effects , Xanthophylls/therapeutic useABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To report the ophthalmic relief activities conducted by Iwate Medical University after the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2011. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of the medical records of patients who visited emergency ophthalmic clinics opened at Yamada-cho, Otsuchi-cho and Rikuzentakada-shi from March 30, 2011 to June 30, 2011. RESULTS: We provided ophthalmic medical care for 14 days at Yamada-cho and Otsuchi-cho, and for 9 days at Rikuzentakada-shi. During this period, 1371 new patients (total of 2015 patients) visited the clinics. The main motives were a desire for prescription of medication, treatment of ocular symptoms and correction of refractive error and presbyopia. The major diseases were cataract, pseudophakia, refractive error, presbyopia and conjunctivitis. Only a few patients had a foreign body in the eye or ocular trauma. Among the 207 patients with contact lenses, 24 patients were wearing them beyond their replacement date, and contact lens care was insufficient in 35 patients. Among 179 patients with glaucoma who were checked for intraocular pressure, 61 patients had an IOP greater than 21 mmHg. CONCLUSIONS: Although many patients sought eye drops for chronic eye diseases and correction of refractive error and presbyopia, patients with ocular injuries were few. It is important to prepare for whatever needs patients in emergency circumstances may present.
